Football
Scotland player ratings vs Germany: Four let down Steve Clarke’s side in Euro 2024 opener
Steve Clarke has a big job on his hands to turn things around for Scotland after seeing his side fall to a dismal 5-1 defeat against Germany in their Euro 2024 opener.
Hopes were high heading into the tournament for Scotland after an impressive qualifying campaign, but that optimism was ruined inside the first 20 minutes with goals from Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala giving Germany a commanding lead.
Things went from bad to worse on the stroke of half time when Ryan Porteous was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Ilkay Gundogan inside the box with Kai Havertz converting the resulting spot kick.
Niclas Fullkrug and Emre Can added two more in the second half to give Germany a resounding victory.
Wednesday’s game against Switzerland now has even more importance for Scotland with a win desperately needed to give them hope of progressing to the knockout stage.
GB News takes a look at how Scotland’s players rated against Germany with four in particular failing to cut the grade.
Ryan Porteous was sent off in the first half
GETTY
Scotland player ratings:
Angus Gunn – 4
Should have done more to stop Wirtz’s effort and that put Scotland on the backfoot early on.
Anthony Ralston – 5
The Celtic star struggled to keep tabs on Germany’s array of attacking players who appeared to have the freedom of the pitch in the first half.
Jack Hendry – 5
Much like Ralston, Jack Hendry was caught out on too many occasions by Germany’s speed in attack.
Ryan Porteous – 2
A reckless challenge that could have significant consequences for Scotland in their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages.
Kieran Tierney – 5
Faired slightly better than his defensive counterparts, but his celebrations for winning a goal kick in the third minute didn’t age well.
Andy Robertson – 5
Scotland’s lack of attacking intent was Andy Robertson’s downfall as he failed to have any real impact.
Scott McTominay – 4
Scotland’s main man in qualifying was guilty of too many poor decisions in midfield and was second best to Germany’s midfield.
Callum McGregor – 4
Caught in no man’s land for Musiala’s goal and was too easily brushed aside for the young Bayern Munich star’s strike.
Scott McTominay was ineffective against Germany
GETTY
Ryan Christie – 5
A gamble from Steve Clarke to go with the wide man over Billy Gilmour and one that didn’t pay off.
John McGinn – 5
Seen as Scotland’s most creative force, he had just 10 touches in the first half and appeared off it.
Che Adams – 5
A tough task for Che Adams was made even more difficult once Scotland went down to 10 men.
Angus Gunn would have expected to save Germany’s first goal
REUTERS
Subs:
Grant Hanley – 5
Brought on at half-time to try and shore things up for Scotland and stop the rot but he failed to do so.
Billy Gilmour – 6
Kenny McLean – 6
Scott McKenna – 6
Lawrence Shankland – 6
Clarke urges Scottish game to rethink strategy over development of young players… and take a leaf out the book of Nations League opponents Croatia
Preview: Scotland vs. Portugal – prediction, team news, lineups
Scotland v Croatia: Mateo Kovacic on Hampden Park
‘Very poor’, cry fans as major US rock band snubs Scotland in world tour
Watch: Scottish Masters – Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee Utd & Rangers compete
Scotland v Portugal: Gregor Townsend expecting tough Test
Freddy Douglas called up by Scotland for Portugal clash despite Edinburgh youngster still waiting to make club debut
Scotland’s ‘worst airport’ for Christmas travel disruption revealed
Union calls for removal of free bus travel for under 22s if driver abuse continues
